×

Venting device

  • US 7,597,114 B2
  • Filed: 03/10/2006
  • Issued: 10/06/2009
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2006
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A venting device comprising:

  • a base having first and second ends with one of the first and second ends connected to a driveline component and the base having, a first internal vent through-passage formed therein extending from the first end to the second end;

    a tube formed of a tubular sidewall having a first and second ends with a second internal vent through-passage disposed therein with one of the first and second tube ends attached to the base with the second internal vent passage in the tube in fluid flow communication with the first internal vent passage in the base;

    a cap attached to the other one of the first and second ends of the base and permitting fluid flow therebetween with the cap surrounding an end of the tube and comprising a sidewall attached to the base enclosing the tube in an enclosure defined between the cap and the base and an endwall with at least one internally disposed transversely or radially extending rib that spaces the other one of the first and second tube ends from the cap endwall permitting fluid flow between the tube and the cap end wall;

    a passage defined by a space between the cap and the tube, the passage routing intake and exhaust air between the driveline component that is one of a front axle, a rear axle, a transmission and a transfer case and an external environment;

    a float movable between a first position and a second position, the float moving to the second position in response to a liquid flow into the passage from the external environment;

    a seal coupled to the float so that the seal closes the passage when the float is moved to the second position preventing the liquid flow from reaching the driveline component; and

    wherein the at least one internally disposed rib in the cap prevents buckling of the seal when the float is moved to the second position.

View all claims
  • 22 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×